The Magi's Journey: Prophecy, Protection, and the Light of Christ

Over the past few episodes , we've journeyed through moments of divine wonder and heavenly orchestration , from the eternal Word becoming flesh in the Gospel of John 1 , verses 1-14 . To Mary's humble and faithful yes in the Gospel of Luke 1 , verses 26-56 . Joseph's quiet yet courageous obedience in the Gospel of Matthew 1 , verses 18-25 .

And the glorious yet humble nativity in the Gospel of Luke 2 verses 1-40 . Every moment has brought us here to the Gospel of Matthew 2 verses 1-18 . If you have missed any of these foundational episodes , I encourage you to visit our website at inthefieldaudiobiblecom , where you can catch up on past episodes and explore additional reflections .

You'll also find our exclusive free ebook , The First Witnesses , Angels and Shepherds in the Birth of Christ , a resource to deepen your understanding of this extraordinary story . Now we turn to Matthew's Gospel , a passage filled with mystery , revelation and God's faithful protection .

The scene begins with travelers from the east , wise men or magi , known as scholars of the heavens . They were not Israelites . Yet they knew the signs . A star had appeared brighter than any they had seen before , and they understood it as a divine proclamation . A king had been born , a ruler unlike any other .

These magi embarked on a long and arduous journey , leaving behind their homes and comfort , seeking not a throne but a child . Their purpose to worship him . When they reached Jerusalem , their question shook the city to its core . King Herod , paranoid and threatened , gathered his priests and scribes . The prophecy was clear the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem .

King Herod , cloaking his fear with false piety , sent the Magi ahead . Go and search for the child , he said , and when you find him , report back to me so that I too may go and worship him . But King Herod's heart was far from worship . The Magi , guided again by the star , continued their journey until it stopped over the place where the child was .

And when they saw him , this child king , they fell to their knees in worship . They brought gifts , each carrying deep significance . Gold fit for a king , honoring Jesus as the sovereign ruler of all . Frankincense , a fragrant incense acknowledging his divinity and his role as the mediator between heaven and earth .

Myrrh , a burial spice foreshadowing his sacrifice and death , the price he would pay to redeem the world . The wise men understood that this child was not merely a king for Israel , but the Savior for all people . Their worship testified that God's promise of salvation had arrived , extending beyond borders , nations and time . But this wasn't the end .

That very night , God intervened , warned in a dream not to return to Herod . The Magi obeyed , choosing a different road home , a road that protected the child and his family from harm . Meanwhile , Joseph too received a divine warning . An angel appeared saying "Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt , for Herod is seeking to destroy him .

In the dark of night , joseph rose and led his family to safety . And when Herod realized the wise men would not return , his rage erupted into an unspeakable act , a massacre of innocent children , a sorrowful fulfillment of prophecy . Yet even in this tragedy , god's plan prevailed .

The Savior was safe , the light of the world had come come , and no darkness would overcome him . Matthew tells this story with a profound purpose . Writing to a Jewish audience , he weaves the threads of prophecy to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah , the fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel .

But Matthew also reveals something more the universal reach of Christ's kingdom , the wise men , gentiles from distant lands , are among the first to recognize and worship Jesus . Their journey reminds us that this king came not for one people alone , but for all , jew and Gentile alike .

From the very beginning , his birth proclaimed good news of great joy for all people .

As we reflect on the wise men's courage to seek , their devotion to worship and their obedience to protect , may we be inspired to do the same to seek Jesus with our whole hearts , to offer him the gifts of our worship and trust , and to follow wherever God leads , even when the path requires faith . This is the beauty of the Christmas story .

It is a story that transcends time , a story that speaks to every generation and a story that invites us all to bow before the King of Kings . So settle in as we journey through this final chapter of the Christmas story , a story of a Savior's arrival , a story of light and a story of hope .

The Gospel of Matthew 2 , verses 1-18 . Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea . This happened while Herod was King of Judea . After Jesus' birth , wise men from the east came to Jerusalem . They asked when is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews ? We saw his star when it rose . Now we have come to worship him .

When King Herod heard about it , he was very upset . Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too . So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people . He also called the teachers of the law . He asked them where the Messiah was going to be born In Bethlehem , in Judea . They replied this is what the prophet has written .

He said but you , bethlehem , in the land of Judah , are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah . A ruler will come out of you . He will rule my people , Israel , like a shepherd . Then Herod secretly called for the wise men . He found out from them exactly when the star had appeared . He sent them to Bethlehem . He said him .

He said go and search carefully for the child . As soon as you find him , report it to me , then I can go and worship him too . After the wise men had listened to the king , they went on their way . The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them . It finally stopped over the place where the child was .

When they saw the star , they were filled with joy . The wise men went to the house . There they saw the child with his mother Mary . They bowed down and worshipped him . Then they opened their treasures . They gave him gold , frankincense and myrrh . But God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod . So they returned to their country on a different road .

When the wise men had left , Joseph had a dream . In the dream , an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph . Get up . The angel said "Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt . Stay there until I tell you to come back . Herod is going to search for the child . He wants to kill him . So Joseph got up During the night .

He left for Egypt with the child and his mother Mary . They stayed there until King Herod died . So the words the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true . He had said "I brought my son out of Egypt . Herod realized that the wise men had tricked him , so he became very angry . He gave orders about Bethlehem and the area around it .

He ordered all the boys two years old and under to be killed . This agreed with the time when the wise men had seen the star . In this way , the words Jeremiah , the prophet , spoke , came true . He had said a voice is heard in Ramah . It's the sound of crying in deep sadness .

Rachel is crying over her children , she refuses to be comforted because they are gone .

As we close this final chapter of The Christmas Story with In the Field Audio Bible , I want to thank you for walking with me through these profound moments straight from the pages of Scripture . Together , we've traveled across the Gospels and stood in awe of the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ .

We began our journey in the opening verses of the Gospel of John 1 , verses 1 - 14 , where the Apostle John revealed a truth so wondrous it stirs the soul the Word became flesh . God stepped into our world , his light piercing the darkness , his life bringing hope to all who believe . Light piercing the darkness , his life , bringing hope to all who believe .

In this moment we see that Christmas is not just a birth but the beginning of God's dwelling among us . Emmanuel , God with us . We move to the Gospel of Luke 1 , verses 26 - 56 , where an angel named Gabriel visited a humble young woman named Mary .

He listened as Mary received her calling with a heart of faith and sang a song that still echoes through the ages , a song proclaiming God's mercy , his justice and His steadfast love for His people .

Then , through the eyes of Joseph , in the Gospel of Matthew 1 , verses 18 - 25 , we watched a man of quiet strength wrestle with uncertainty , only to step forward in obedience . He embraced the role God gave him protecting the child and the promise that a virgin would give birth to the Savior called Emmanuel .

Our journey then took us to the Gospel of Luke 2 , verses 1 - 40 , where we entered the stillness of Bethlehem and heard the angels declare "Unto you is born this day a Savior , christ the Lord . The shepherds rejoiced , simeon praised God and Anna gave thanks, all confirming that Jesus came for everyone , the lowly , the expectant and the faithful alike .

And now we have arrived at the Gospel of Matthew 2 , verses 1-18 , where wise men followed a star to find the newborn king . Their journey of faith brought gifts of gold , frankincense and myrrh . But alongside their worship , we also saw the shadow of opposition King Herod's fear and danger lurking on the horizon .

Yet even as a child , jesus was the king who could not be foiled , for God's plans always prevail . But , dear friends , the Christmas story does not end in the manger or in the humble town of Bethlehem . It is only the beginning of the greatest story ever told .

Jesus grew to be the teacher who would reveal the Father's heart , the healer who touched the broken , and the Savior who laid down His life on a cross and by His resurrection he broke the chains of sin and death , offering us eternal life and peace with God . So as we reflect on this journey together , may we carry its truth with us .

Jesus is the light of the world . He is our hope when life feels dark , our peace when the world feels restless , and the promise of new life , now and forever . Thank you for listening to The Christmas story with In the Field Audio Bible . Until we meet again , may the Lord bless you and keep you .

May His love surround you and may His peace settle deep within your heart this Christmas season .